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The Ancient Coin Collectors Guild has become a driving force in the ongoing effort to protect coin collectors and museums in which coins are stored from being forced to give up these items to foreign governments under the premise the coins are the cultural patrimony of the claimant nation. — Richard Giedroyc, World Coin News April 26, 2010

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ACCG voices opposition on Italy MOU

The ACCG has submitted a formal comment regarding the possible addition of coins to the Memorandum of Understanding with Italy.

April 30, 2010

On May 6th and 7th, the Cultural Property Advisory Committee will convene in Washington DC to consider extending the current Memorandum of Understanding with Italy that restricts the importation of certain types of cultural property. The MOU is a form of bilateral agreement between nations that is authorized by the Convention on Cultural Property Implementation Act of 1983. The decision to enter an agreement rests with the U.S. State Department and by law is aided through the deliberation of CPAC. Theoretically, the State Department would follow the advice of CPAC in all but the most unusual of cases. An MOU must be reconsidered every five years. Although many types of artifacts from Italy are currently restricted, coins have been exempted in the past two CPAC deliberations. There is reason to believe that they may be considered for addition this cycle.

The public is invited to comment on issues before CPAC in two ways, either by written statement or by oral comment. The ACCG submitted a written statement on April 20, 2010. Guild Executive Director Wayne G. Sayles will present oral comments in Washington at the public session on May 6th. Washington attorney Peter Tompa will represent the numismatic trade at this hearing. The Numismatic Community will also be represented with oral presentations by Mr. Clifford Mishler, ANA president; Mr. Douglas Mudd, curator of the Money Museum; and Mrs. Souzana Steverding, Director of Ancient Coins for Education.